Abstract

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF METHANOL AND WATER EXTRACTS OF LENTINUS SAJOR-CAJU

*Johnsy G and V. Kaviyarasan

ABSTRACT

To investigate the presence of phytochemical, antibacterial, anticandidal and antioxidant activities of methanolic and water extracts of L. sajor-caju. Preliminary screenings of the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phytosterols etc were carried out by standard procedure. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts were carried out by well diffusion method. Assays of DPPH radical scavenging, Ferrous-ion chelating ability, reducing power and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities were used for evaluating antioxidant activity of the mushroom. Based on the results, methanolic and water extracts of the L. sajor-caju showed antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. In particular methanol extract showed more activity when compared to the water extract. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of varying quantities of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and steroids. These results therefore not only make these wild edible mushrooms popular to consume as good food source but may also be valuable in drug development.

Keywords: Lentinus sajor-caju, phytochemicals, antioxidant, antimicrobial, radical scavenging.